Right-winger Rick Kehoe was equipped with excellent speed and a blazing shot. He played over 13 years in the NHL with Toronto and Pittsburgh and accounted for nearly 800 points.
Kehoe started his junior career with the London Knights of OHA but ended up with the Hamilton Red Wings. After starring in 1970-71 with 80 points in 58 games he was the Toronto Maple Leafs' first choice, 22nd overall, in the Amateur Draft.
The talented youngster split his rookie season between the NHL and the Tulsa Oilers of CHL. He improved to 33 goals in 1972-73 playing on a line with Darryl Sittler and Denis Dupere. His production dropped to 18 goals in 1973-74 when the Leafs added young wingers Lanny McDonald and Inge Hammarstrom to the mix.
Kehoe no longer wished to play in Toronto and was traded to Pittsburgh for Blaine Stoughton at the start of training camp in 1974. The Leafs misjudged the previous year's aberration as Kehoe went on to star for Pens. Between 1974-75 and 1982-83 he scored at least 25 goals nine straight years. Playing on one of the league's best power plays, he exploded for 55 goals in 1980-81 and won Lady Byng Trophy. Kehoe also played in NHL All-Star Game in 1981 and 1983.
His numbers started to drop in 1983-84 as the Penguins began to go with a youth movement. He was forced to retire early in the 1984-85 season as a result of a serious injury to the vertebrae in his neck. Kehoe experienced numbness in his right arm that was first thought to be a circulatory malady. When the source of the problem was discovered, Kehoe was told to retire or risk losing his mobility. He remained with the team as a scout.
